10 Days to Opening Day

Opening Day 2008 for the Timber Rattlers is April 3. That is 10 days from today. This off-season, the countdown will be based on books. Each day between now and Opening Day 2008, I will pick a random book out of my library and excerpt a passage off the page number corresponding with the number of days remaining to the first pitch of the new season. I will try not to repeat a book during the countdown.

Today's book is the 2002 Baseball America Prospect Handbook. Page 10 is Allan Simpson's Top 50 Prospects. Here are his top ten prospects in all of minor league baseball heading into the 2002 season. See anyone you might recognize?

1.) Josh Beckett, rhp, Marlins
2.) Mark Prior, rhp, Cubs
3.) Sean Burroughs, 3b, Padres
4.) Hank Blalock, 3B, Rangers
5.) Wilson Betemit, ss, Braves
6.) Ryan Anderson, lhp, Mariners
7.) Juan Cruz, rhp, Cubs
8.) Josh Hamilton, of, Devil Rays
9.) Mark Teixeira, 3b, Rangers
10.) Carlos Pena, 1b, Athletics

Put today's excerpt in a baseball context.